CA Civil Rights Dept. Complaint

May 31

Since the passage California’s Assembly Bill 556 in 2013, military families have been a protected class under Cal Gov. Code Part 2.8, which outlines the obligations of the Civil Rights Department (CRD).

Cal. Gov. Code §12940(b) prohibits employers and labor organizations from providing “only second-class or segregated membership.” By specifically excluding “military and veteran status” from organizational policies and resources, the American Academy of Religion (AAR) forces soldiers and veterans engaged in the scholarly study of religion to accept a diminished membership status.

Cal. Gov. Code §12940(k) requires employers and labor organizations “to take all reasonable steps necessary to prevent discrimination and harassment from occurring.” By discriminating against military families, AAR created an environment in which anti-military bias was endorsed from the top down.

AAR is planning to host its Annual Gathering in a city of 240,000 soldiers, veterans, and Dependents while denying them the civil rights their sacrifices secured. That is not only insulting, in California it is also unlawful. I am therefore petitioning the state of California to bar the AAR from doing business in the state until it complies with applicable laws.